Building façades play an important role in protecting indoor environments and transforming the occupant experience. Conventional façades, if not designed appropriately can risk leading in to a high Energy Use Intensity (EUI), increased infiltration and thermal discomfort. These disadvantages are intensified in modern façades which have a significant proportion of glazing, especially in areas of extreme climates. In recent years, new façade technologies have been proposed to provide high thermal insulation, shading from extreme solar radiation, improved thermal comfort and daylighting quality. Double-Skin Façades (DSF) are a special type of envelope containing of multiple layer of building skin separated by an air gap, which can be designed to function both as an insulator and a passive ventilation mechanism. DSF covers several levels of a building with multiple skins and can be generally classified into airtight or ventilated. This implies that DSF can function both as a pre-cooling or pre-heating mechanism if the air movement is studied and optimised. Therefore, the aim of this project is to conduct an in-depth numerical, parametric modelling of DSF components and investigate its impact on air movement. The work will present a sizeable opportunity to enhance future building façades and its impact on energy, comfort, ventilation, and users.
This project will provide a significant milestone in increasing research visibility in areas of building and energy, for the Centre of Excellence in Smart Construction at Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus, aligning with the key drivers at the of the national and international energy policy agenda.
Funding
This is a full scholarship which will cover tuition fees (Home and Oversees) and provide an annual stipend (currently £17,668) for 42 months. Thereafter, candidates will be expected to pay a continuing affiliation fee (currently £130) whilst they complete their thesis.
Eligibility
This scholarship is available to Home and Overseas students. The successful candidate will be based on campus in Dubai.
To be eligible, applicants should have a first-class honours degree in a relevant subject or a 2.1 honours degree plus Masters (or equivalent experience. Scholarships will be awarded by competitive merit, taking into account the academic ability of the applicant.
We recognise that not every talented researcher will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore will account for any particular circumstances that applicants disclose (e.g. parental leave, caring duties, part-time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process.
How to apply
To apply you must complete our online application form.
Please select PhD Construction or Civil Engineering as the programme and include the full project title, reference number and supervisor name on your application form. You will also need to provide a CV, a supporting statement (1-5 A4 pages) outlining your suitability and how you would approach the project, a copy of your degree certificate(s) and relevant transcripts and an academic reference.
You must also provide proof of your ability in the English language (if English is not your mother tongue or if you have not already completed a degree that was taught in English within the last 2 years). We require an IELTS certificate showing an overall score of at least 6.5 with no component scoring less than 6.0 or a TOEFL certificate with a minimum score of 90 points.
Please address informal questions to Dr Hassam Chaudhry ([Email Address Removed])
If you have any general queries about the applications process, please contact [Email Address Removed]
Timeline
The closing date for applications is 17th April 2023 and applicants must be available to start in September 2023.
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